They Loved Deeply

Our recent November 6^thelection had people pointing fingers in every direction.  One candidate telling us why we should not vote for their opponent and the opponent telling us why we should not vote for the other candidate.  The news and social media were mostly about the negatives.  There was very little positive.

If we are always tuned to the latest news stories and social media, this electronic rudeness seems to be the foundation of much of what transpires in our culture.  However, don’t be fooled.  There is still real goodness in the world.  Today’s story authored by Rose Minutaglio, is about two people who found remarkable love.  Here they are below…Isabell and Preble Staver.

Isabell and Preble met in the 1940’s and were married in 1946.  They were married for 71 years.  Even after all this time together they would still take naps together just holding hands.  It was clear they deeply loved each other and had loved each other through all their years together.

One morning Isabell died. She was 95.  Preble’s daughter told him that his wife had just passed away and that “It’s OK for you to let go now”.  Meaning, of course, that it is OK for Preble to pass away.  His job on earth was complete.  At about 8 PM on that same evening Preble passed away. Together for 71 years both husband and wife passed away on the same day.  They existed for each other.  Preble spent his life making certain his wife was OK and Isabell did all she could to take care of Preble through the years.

When you hear this story don’t you just wonder about your priorities?  Don’t you wonder why as a culture we spend so much time on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram instead of taking time to talk with our spouse or children about something important to them? Do you wonder if the best use of our limited time on earth is to engage in rude interactions about politics?  We spend our time talking about things with so little lasting value.

Preble and Isabell got it right.  They knew that life was about kindness, generosity, selflessness, and love.  They spent a lifetime refining these traits and caring for each other and their family.

We can all learn many lessons from the Stavers.  Let’s spend less time watching funny videos on Facebook, less time staging the perfect shot on Instagram, and less time arguing with people on Twitter.  Instead let’s focus on things that enrich our lives, the lives of those in our families, and the lives of those who cross our path.

 

 

Will You Marry Me?

This week a federal judge in Louisiana did something remarkable. He didn’t bow down to the cultural peer pressure associated with the gay agenda. Judge Martin Feldman ruled that it is the right of the states to define marriage…not the federal government.

Judge Feldman ruled that the Louisiana definition of marriage, which is currently defined as the union of a man and a woman needs no “redefinition”. In Louisiana, 78% of the state voters agreed that the definition of marriage was a state right…not a right that could simply be mandated or over-ruled by a court. Judge Feldman also said this:

[Louisiana] has a legitimate interest…whether obsolete in the opinion of some, or not, in the opinion of others…in linking children to an intact family formed by their two biological parents.

As part of Judge Feldman’s ruling he further added this:

The Court is persuaded that a meaning of what is marriage that has endured in history for thousands of years, and prevails in a majority of states today, is not universally irrational.

Judge Feldman also voiced concerns that many of us have had over the issue of the redefinition of marriage. Feldman said that there were too many questions surrounding a redefinition of marriage that would make it difficult for any court to overturn the will of the citizens. Feldman said a redefinition of marriage would open a Pandora’s Box of hypotheticals such as marriage between an aunt and niece, aunt and nephew, father and child, [or] brother and brother…

Judge Feldman understands. How refreshing to see someone with some common sense in a position of authority. In an age when common sense just seems to be dead, we need more folks with common sense and a backbone like Judge Feldman.

At Toccoa Falls College we believe that God clearly established the definition of marriage in Genesis with one man and one woman. That same definition may be found throughout scripture. It’s great to see a federal judge understand that a change in this biblical definition of marriage leads to all sorts of problems and complexities. Moving away from God’s laws and principles always does.

Anything Goes!

This week the Supreme Court ruled that same sex couples legally married in a state deserve the same federal benefits as heterosexual couples.  This ruling struck down a portion of the Defense of Marriage Act known as DOMA.  Several months ago Attorney General Eric Holder also said that the federal government would no longer defend DOMA.

As various worldviews push against the Biblically defined traditional marriage, we have opened a box of alternative life styles that are clearly not scriptural.  I have often reminded folks to follow non-Christian worldviews to their obvious conclusions and this is a perfect example.

If we no longer rely on Biblical teachings to define marriage, then who decides the definition of marriage?  The courts?  The government? Popular opinion? I suppose anything goes and people can define marriage however they would choose.  With no standard…no Truth…who is to say that bestiality or pedophilia should be outlawed? What about polygamy?

In fact, within twelve hours of the most recent Supreme Court ruling, Joe Darger, a Utah-based polygamist with three wives said this, We’re very happy with it (the decision of the Supreme Court). I think the court has taken a step in correcting some inequality, and that’s certainly something that’s going to trickle down and impact us.

Without following the absolute Truths provided in scripture, laws against these types of behaviors only remain as law until there is a strong enough cultural change to remove them.  This is exactly what has happened with the homosexual agenda.

Currently thirty-seven states prohibit same-sex marriage.  Since undoubtedly you will see this marriage definition argument move to the state level, I encourage you to call or write your senators and congressmen and tell them you support the Biblical definition of marriage between one man and one woman.

We are reminded in Hebrews that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Even if our culture changes, God’s Truth always remains as a foundation for Godly living.